TBI Throttle Body Injection discussion and questions. L03/CFI tech and other performance enhancements.

Lt1 cam swap

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Old Oct 13, 2009 | 04:50 AM
  #1  
ericjon262's Avatar
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From: South Carolina
Car: 85 2M6, 87 'Bird 88 'burb
Engine: LX9, LG4, L05
Transmission: F23, 700r4, 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.63, 2.73, 4.10
Lt1 cam swap

I'm thinking about doing the LT1 cam swap, along with swaping to 305 TPI heads, a new intake, headers/ exhaust, and EBL.

I have two questions.

1. can I swap the cam without dropping the oil pan? I thought I read somewhere that it can be done, but noe I can't find that info.

2. how much more power (ballpark) should I be looking at?

Thanks-

Eric
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Old Oct 13, 2009 | 07:10 AM
  #2  
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From: Jackson, MI
Car: 1991 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 3.1L V6
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: Lt1 cam swap

Read here for a complete swap thread
You don't have to drop the oil pan to get the timing cover off. Just loosen it enough to get the timing cover on and off.
The cam will probably add +-25 hp with a good tune.
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Old Oct 13, 2009 | 10:49 AM
  #3  
ericjon262's Avatar
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From: South Carolina
Car: 85 2M6, 87 'Bird 88 'burb
Engine: LX9, LG4, L05
Transmission: F23, 700r4, 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.63, 2.73, 4.10
Re: Lt1 cam swap

Originally Posted by tazextreme3
Read here for a complete swap thread
You don't have to drop the oil pan to get the timing cover off. Just loosen it enough to get the timing cover on and off.
The cam will probably add +-25 hp with a good tune.
I've read it, probably 2-3 times, I know just the cam is worth 25 hp, but what about the cam and heads?

Also, is there any difference between the L03 and Lb9 rotating assembalies the same?
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Old Oct 13, 2009 | 11:11 AM
  #4  
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From: Jackson, MI
Car: 1991 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 3.1L V6
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: Lt1 cam swap

Cam and heads, I believe would put you around stock LB9 power (220ish? maybe a little more from the cam). Try to go with a set of vortecs if you can.
The bottom end of the LO3 and LB9 are the same. I believe the only differences are the heads, cam and induction.
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Old Oct 13, 2009 | 05:45 PM
  #5  
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From: West-Central
Car: 91 Trans am
Engine: built 360 TBI
Transmission: built 700r4
Axle/Gears: 10bolt/3.23
Re: Lt1 cam swap

The oil pan has to be lowered at least 1", to get the timing cover out and back in properly.I used 2 longer screws in the fron of the pan and losened all around, dont forget to empty the oil first. Used it to keep the roller lifters and lifters soaked.

Dont know about 081's, but LO3 with stock heads, lt1cam, full exhaust, anough fuel, EBL (tuned) and CAI should be around 230-250fwhp.
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Old Oct 13, 2009 | 08:35 PM
  #6  
ericjon262's Avatar
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From: South Carolina
Car: 85 2M6, 87 'Bird 88 'burb
Engine: LX9, LG4, L05
Transmission: F23, 700r4, 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.63, 2.73, 4.10
Re: Lt1 cam swap

Originally Posted by thomas1976
Dont know about 081's, but LO3 with stock heads, lt1cam, full exhaust, anough fuel, EBL (tuned) and CAI should be around 230-250fwhp.
Why not 081's?
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Old Oct 13, 2009 | 08:37 PM
  #7  
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Re: Lt1 cam swap

Originally Posted by ericjon262
I'm thinking about doing the LT1 cam swap, along with swaping to 305 TPI heads, a new intake, headers/ exhaust, and EBL.

I have two questions.

1. can I swap the cam without dropping the oil pan? I thought I read somewhere that it can be done, but noe I can't find that info.

2. how much more power (ballpark) should I be looking at?

Thanks-

Eric
1. Yes you can swap the cam without removing the oil pan. The timing chain cover will up and out, however, it will be impossible to put it back in without trimming the ears off the inside flange or or lowering the oil pan. i recomend the later. It is laborious but you can lower the pan just a touch (you have an inch or two before you hit the k member) which is enough to get the timing cover back on.

2. Assuming you get your tune dialed in you will see on average around 210 to 220 rwhp. give or take. Some have reported higher many have reported lower. All comes down to the tune.
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Old Oct 13, 2009 | 08:49 PM
  #8  
ericjon262's Avatar
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15 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,545
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From: South Carolina
Car: 85 2M6, 87 'Bird 88 'burb
Engine: LX9, LG4, L05
Transmission: F23, 700r4, 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.63, 2.73, 4.10
Re: Lt1 cam swap

thanks, so any reason not to use the 081 heads over the factory swirls?

edit: I misread your post thomas1976, I though you said not to use them.
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Old Oct 13, 2009 | 09:16 PM
  #9  
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From: Downey
Car: IROC
Engine: 383
Transmission: T-5 manual transmission
Axle/Gears: 3.45
Re: Lt1 cam swap

Alright, I have a tpi setup that I'm swapping out for my tbi and I'm going to put a new cam 224/234with new springs and valve spring kit, stock heads. Now I want to purchase a set of 1.6 RR's. I already have headers straight pipped flowmaster setup with a t-5 manual transmission. How much horespower do you guys think I can push out.
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Old Oct 16, 2009 | 01:31 PM
  #10  
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Re: Lt1 cam swap

Originally Posted by johnny090881
Alright, I have a tpi setup that I'm swapping out for my tbi and I'm going to put a new cam 224/234with new springs and valve spring kit, stock heads. Now I want to purchase a set of 1.6 RR's. I already have headers straight pipped flowmaster setup with a t-5 manual transmission. How much horespower do you guys think I can push out.

Without proper ECM tuning you will make around 100hp. With proper tuning you could be around 250 or so.
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